Waiting Game

March 4, 2011

Members of
the DePauw Environmental Policy Project (DEPP) have become familiar faces at
the Indiana General Assembly. Since 2009 the group has presented its findings
on issues such as geothermal heating and industrial farming before House and
Senate committees, shaping policy and the future of the state. But no amount of
research, no matter how persuasive, makes a difference without a vote.

Rumors of a walkout by House Democrats spread through the capitol on the morning of Feb. 22. The Democrats opposed a collection of education and budgetary measures, but without the numbers to stop them on the floor, it seemed likely that they would turn to other options. Later that day, House
Speaker Brian Bosma erased any doubts when he observed out loud that several cars were missing
from the parking lot.

The missing Democrats turned up in Illinois – whose Democratic governor was unlikely
to intervene – and have remained out of state since. The bloc is large enough to keep the Indiana House just short of
its requirement of 67 present representatives needed to conduct business.

As the quorum-less days in Indianapolis continue, DEPP can do
little but watch as events unfold.
Many of the bills they had planned testimony for have already moved out of the
Senate and are now stuck in limbo in the House.

But not all is
quiet in the capitol. Chanting
and singing protesters have gathered there in what has become a familiar scene throughout the Midwest. DEPP
members say the atmosphere has been charged, but upbeat.

“I thought it
might be intimidating, but it isn’t at all,” says senior Sally M. Reasoner.
“It’s a nice crowd. Although they are protesting these bills, they are also
there in support of the Democrats, and that tone overwhelms.”

“We’ve heard
allegations of name-calling and even spitting, but we personally have never
witnessed any of that,” says junior Mathew W. Cecil, DEPP’s media director. “Media outlets have portrayed both the legislators
and protesters as people who aren’t like the ‘normal Hoosier,’ but they are
very much members of the same state.”

Many DEPP
members are using the legislative lull to strengthen their research for when
the House reconvenes. Reasoner, however, plans to interview all 19 freshman
representatives – mostly Republicans – as part of her senior thesis on impact
of the Tea Party on Indiana politics.

“They’re new
and enthusiastic about being there, and maybe less political than party
leadership would be,” she says.” I think that they are open to talk, and they
have an interesting perspective.”

The recent
majority flip in the General Assembly changed the types of bills that DEPP expected
to be brought up, but not its work in general. As a nonpartisan group, their
purpose is to present factual research that cuts through partisan rhetoric.

Recently,
members such as senior Sheah N. Hilton have worked with legislators from both
sides of the aisle. Hilton is hoping to improve regulations on the many tons of
manure produced by concentrated feeding operations (CFOs), impacting the health
of residents of counties in eastern Indiana.

On other
issues, Reasoner believes that political maneuvering can override even the most
engaging testimony.

“It’s the
reality of the situation,” Reasoner says. “The next election is never far
away.”

The standoff
in the House could last until the General Assembly adjourns in late April,
effectively blocking any legislation from a vote during the session. If it
becomes their only option, DEPP members are considering traveling to state
legislatures in Ohio and Kentucky for testimony on similar bills.

“We’re not frustrated
yet,” Cecil says. “If the standoff went on for a month, then maybe it becomes a
roadblock to our program because we can’t provide what we believe is very
important research.”

“DEPP
produces original, substantive information,” Reasoner adds. “It might not
affect Indiana’s legislation, but somebody in another state can use it.”